Hilbre Islands
| Hilbre Islands | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of Hilbre Island | |
| Type | Common |
| Location | West Kirby, Merseyside |
| Coordinates | 53°22′48″N 3°13′30″W / 53.38°N 3.225°W53°22′48″N 3°13′30″W / 53.38°N 3.225°W |
| Operated by | Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |
| Open | All year, dependent on tide |
| Status | Open |
The Hilbre Islands (/ˈhɪlbriː/ HIL-bree) are an archipelago consisting of three islands at the mouth of the Dee Estuary, the border between England and Wales at this point. The islands are administratively part of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. They are a Local Nature Reserve and are within the estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest. As of 2012, the islands have no permanent residents. The name is thought to derive from a chapel built on the Island and dedicated to St. Hildeburgh. Visitors to the islands typically travel by foot from West Kirby during periods of low tide.